12 months ago….6 months to go

Life is full of significant events, fixed to a time and date that we will never forget. Today is one of mine.

On 25th September 2013 I was standing on the top of the 8th highest mountain in the world. Manaslu. 8163m. I was standing there terrified but free as a bird. Standing on top was more than just summiting for me, it was a freeing of so much significant stuff in my life. It’s all about the journey and not the destination, right? No longer, in my mind, was I the fat girl at school who was bullied, called Bradshit, tree trunk legs, rubber lips, and that’s the stuff that I can print. No longer did I feel like an imposter in the coolest industry in the world. Everyone has ‘shit’ going on in their lives, things that no-one else will ever know or see, by looking at the cover of the book you can’t see what’s hidden in side. I left a lot of shit at the top of that mountain.

On the summit of Manaslu

So what’s next? Yes, Everest of course and now Lhotse too. At 8516m, the world’s 4th highest mountain. Yes, you read correctly, Rolfe and I are going to attempt to climb Lhotse straight after Everest. Staying at the South Col and trying a double whammy. Audacious some may think, arrogant to think that little me could even contemplate such a feat, well why the hell not. The biggest failure in life is the failure not to try, isn’t that what they say?

Another significant date is upon me. The 6-month countdown until we fly out to Nepal and hit the trail to climb these great mountains. Everest is not for everyone, I get that. Some say it’s too commercial, that you can buy your way onto the mountain, be dragged up it, I get that. I don’t want to climb this great mountain on those terms. I want to do it on the best terms, with a great friend and guide. I’ve put in the miles, am still putting in the miles, the training, the research, the worry, the doubt, I’m putting in everything I’ve got.

Rolfe, my Everest guide, great friend and climbing buddy

And this is where I need your help. I need you to spread the word, tell people that this gal has got a great chance, that she wants everyone to come along with her, needs everyone to come along with her! My 2 main fundraising initiatives were on the cards before I was hugely fortunate to announce that 100% of the funds were going straight to Place2Be. They will be my lifelines to the support from back home, reading the messages on the banner for inspiration, seeing your faces smiling back at me, being supported by the companies and companions who have been a part of my journey so far.

So here’s the deal. Donate £25, £75 or £150 and grab one of just 500 spaces on my Everest 500 Club banner for your photo or a message. Donate £150, £225 or £300 and grab just one of 50 spaces on my expedition pack for your company logo.

Go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/jobradshaw and come on this journey with me!

Everyone has his or her own Everest to climb. Mine, for now, just happens to be the actual mountain itself.